Although a server side map is just a collection of points, so in theory could
be broken into a big pile of 1x1 squares, there are practical reasons for
having them in some cases.
For example, mapping applications will generate a map on the fly from a much
larger store of information, send it down, and then when a point is selected
on the map generate a new one based on that point. The practical value of a
client-side image map is in part that it can have alternatives associated
with the destination of each hotspot. But in fact is not always very easy to
provide useful alternatives - for example in the mapping scenario.
An alternative technique for doing this might be as follows:
Use SVG to create the maps. Make each street a "hot" object, with the default
activation behaviour to get a new map based on that point. The basic
algorithm can be based on the client side on DOM changes or animations to a
use element. On the server side you could implement the same algorithms, but
you might choose to use a different processing language (or not...)
Charles McCN
On Wed, 14 Mar 2001, Bailey, Bruce wrote:
Even allowing for deprecated equipment, can anyone think of real-life
examples where the exception provided for in 9.1 would be needed? I can
image that a server side imagemap could have regions defined by, for
example, ellipsis's. Does any one know of configurations where this is true
in actual practice? And, as Jim points out, a polygon can get arbitrary
close (at least for the need of screen resolution) to an ellipsis, so why
allow the exception any way?
Are servers side imagemaps mentioned in WCAG 2.0?